Fire escape



Sept. 29, 1942 H. n aLwooD K 297,544

FIRE ESCAPE Filed March '7, 1941 5 Shees-Sheet lv^ INVENTOR Harland l). Ewoo Sept. 29, 1942.

H. D. ELWOOD FIRE ESCAPE Filed March '7, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

[Jar cmd ID E Imood Sept 29, 1942 I H. D. ELwooD 2,297,544

' FIRE ESCAPE Filed March 7, l1941 5 Sheecs-Sheecl 3 I INVENTOR.

Harland Ewoocl @my M @ttor VLQ, q

Patented Sept. 29, 1942 FIRE ESCAPE Harland D. Elwood, Detroit, Mich., assigner of one-half to Lewis A. Eastman, Wyandotte,

lVIich.

Application March 7, 1941, Serial No. 382,125

7 Claims.

This invention relates to re escape apparatus and particularly to a portable device which can be utilized by municipal re lighting units and others, for effecting the safe evacuation of persons, old and young, from a burning building.

An object of the invention is to generally improve devices of this character and particularly to provide a device which can readily be carried up a ladder on the exterior of a building -and secured to a window frame or the like by the operator from the outside.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device which comprises an improved flexible iireproof chute and means for quickly securing one end of it to a window sill or frame, or to other iixtures in a building.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a portable lire escape device which is provided with terminal means arranged in such manner that when in use the principal weights and stresses are carried by the exterior portions of the building, thereby insuring safety against the possibility of weaknesses caused by re on the interior.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds, reference being made from time to time to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a device embodying my invention. In this view the several parts are in carrying position.

Fig. 2 is a view showing the device illustrated in Fig. 1 in operating position on the side of a building.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the device shown in Fig. 2 with parts broken away and with parts of the building in dotted lines for illustrative purposes.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation with part of the chut-e cut away and illustrating the device in position as shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the device illustrated in Fig. 2, with part of the chute broken away and part of the building shown in dotted lines for illustrative purposes.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a modified form of my device. In this embodiment, the chute is provided with a cover which is divided into removable sections s-ecured together by means of slide fasteners.

Fig. 8 is a top plan View of the modiiied form illustrated in Fig. 7.

Referring now more particularly to the draw- CII ings, it will be understood that in the embodiment herein disclosed, my device consists generally of a terminal supporting frame I 0, and a flexible reproofed chute member II, which may be attached to the former by any suitable means. The terminal frame I0 is preferably made of hollow tubing welded together and finished in any suitable Inanner. The frame I 0 has two sides, each of which comprises a front strut I2, back struts I3 and I4, and a cross member I5, all of which are secured together preferably by welding.

The two sides are connected together by a plurality of horizontal tie members I6, I l, I3, and I9. The tie members II and I8 are preferably reinforced by the vertical members 2U. It will be noted that the front strut I2 curves inwardly at the bottom to form a foot 2|, which is intended to ride against the outside wall of the building when the device is in use as shown in Fig. 2. The cross member I5 over-hangs the strut I3 as at 22 to form a bearing member which rests on the top of the Window ledge 23, when the device is in use as shown in Fig. 2. With this construction and arrangement it will be seen that practically all of the weight of the device when in use is carried on the bearing member 22 and the foot To secure the device against lateral displacement from the window ledge, I provide a stabilizing mechanism which consists of two U-shaped brackets 24, one of which is Ibolted as at 25 to each side of the terminal frame at the juncture of the strut I4, and the cross member I5. Each bracket 24 (Fig. 6) has an end portion 26, which is bored as at 21 to engage a clevis pin 28 which extends through the clevis 29 formed integrally with the split bearing type clamp 3U. The clamp 30 is bored longitudinally as at 3|, to engage the rod 32 on one end of which is a hook 33 (Fig. 5), and at the other is a retainer ball 34 which is threadedly secured thereto.

The clamp 30 is internally threaded as at 35 (Fig. 6) to engage the externally threaded portion of the handle 31. 'Ihe threads of the two clamps are cut so that both clamps may be tightened by pulling the handles forward when the device is in the position shown in Fig. 2. This feature enables the operator to secure the device to the building while remaining outside of the building.

The hooked rods 32 with this arrangement have universal movement so that the hooks may attach in any position to the inside of the building, either to the inside of the window frame or to some other fixed object. This also permits the device to be mounted in comparatively narrow Window openings.

In Fig. 1, I show the exible chute Il folded up, and the hooked rods 32 in carrying position. In this position I employ a cover member 38 of similar material to hold the folded chute in place. The cover 38 is secured by any suitable means to the lower tie member I6 and extends around the outside of the folded chute l I, and is secured by quick releasing means 39, to the horizontal tie member I8.

I provide a carrying strap or shoulder sling 40, which is also secured by quick releasingmeans 4I to the cross members l5.

In Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5, I show the flexible chute Il and frame l in operating position. In this position the cover 38 and the carrying strap 40 have been removed and the free ends 42 of the chute have been secured by snaps 43 to the rings 44 of the frame. The edge 45 of the chute H (Fig. 5) is preferably secured by straps 45a to the tie member I9 of the frame.

The chute Il (Fig. 2) is preferably made of a six foot Wide strip of reproof canvas, with a heavy webbing 46 sewed or otherwise secured along both edges. I-Iand straps 41 are riveted or otherwise secured at suitable intervals alongr the webbed edges.

In Figs. 7 and 8, I illustrate a modified form of flexible chute Ila. In this embodiment the frame Illa is provided with an arcuate member 48, the ends of which engage openings 49 in the frame, and to which is secured a top or cover 50 for the chute lla. This cover is preferably formed in sections 5I which are removably secured by means of conventional slide fasteners 52. The cover 50 may be employed for psychological reasons when children or other timid persons are being removed from a building.

When the device is in the condition Villustrated in Fig. 1, it may readily be carried by a fireman or other person, by placing the strap 40 over the shoulder of the carrier. In this position it may be readily carried up a ladder by one person.

When the desired Window is reached, the brack- .i

ets 24 are swung upwardly and the hooked rods 32 are swung toward the building, so that the bearing members 22 of the device are free to rest on the Window ledge.

The hooks 33 of the rods 32 are then extended through the window and made to engage the inside of the window frame, either vertically or horizontally. The handles 31 are then pulled toward the operator, locking the rods 32 against displacement, and the device is then secured in f operating position. In this position the feet 2l will rest against the outside of the building, so that when the ends 42 of the chute are attached to the upper reaches of the frame there Will be a pivoting movement on the bearing members 22, which movement will be arrested by the feet 2i riding against the outside of the building. The flexible chute may then be unfolded for use, as shown in Fig. 2.

In operation, the lower reaches of the chute are held by one or more persons by means of the hand straps 4l. In using the device, it has been found that the most satisfactory results are obtained when the chute is inclined about 45 degrees from the ground. It is obvious, however, that greater or lesser angles of inclination may be employed as the circumstances may require. Y

Although I have illustrated the preferred ern-'- that certain modifications may be made, all of which are intended to be within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a fire escape apparatus including a ilexible chute, the combination of a terminal frame for said chute, said frame having means arranged to support the chute on the outside of a building, and the said frame being provided with substantial bearing members adapted to rest on the ledge of a window, and foot means adapted to ride against the outside Wall of a building, said bearbodiment of `my invention, it will be understood ing means and said foot means being adapted to carry the principal weight and thrust of said frame while the chute is in use.

Y 2. The combination with a flexible chute of a terminal frame comprising two angular end members, a plurality of horizontal tie rods connecting the said end members, and a universally movable anchoring mechanism secured to each of said end members, each of said end members consisting of a substantially vertical strut, a second strut secured to one end of said vertical strut and diverging therefrom, a cross member connecting the other end of said first named strut to the mid section of said second named strut, and a third strut connecting the divergent end of said second strut to the cross member.

3. The combination with a flexible chute of a terminal frame comprising two angular end members, a plurality of horizontal tie rods connecting the said end members, and a universally movable anchoring mechanism secured to each of said end members, each of said end members consisting of a substantially vertical strut, a second strut secured to one end of said vertical strut and diverging therefrom, a cross member connecting the other end of said first named strut to the mid section of said second named strut, and a third strut connecting the divergent end of said second strut to the cross member, vsaid cross member having a portion overhanging said vertical strut to serve as a bearing member, and the said divergent strut having a portion overhanging the said Vvertical strut to form a foot member.

4. The combination with a flexible chute, of a terminal frame comprising tWo angular end members formed of welded tubular stock, `a plurality of horizontal tie rods connecting the end members and a universally movable anchoring mechanism secured to each of said end members, the said anchoring mechanism comprising a U-shaped bracket pivoted to the said end mem.- ber, a split bearing member having a clevis in pivoted engagement with said bracket, a hooked rod extending through said bearing member and an externally threaded handle adapted to actuate the split bearing member to lock the said rod' in predetermined position.

5. In a re escape apparatus, including aexible chute and means for securing the Vsame to a building, the combination of a cover for said chute, said Ycover comprising a plurality of removable sections, the removable sections of the chute cover beingsecured to the sides of said chute and to each other by slide fasteners.

6. The combination with a exible chute of a terminal frame comprising two angular `end. members, a plurality ofl horizontal tie rods connecting the said end members, and a universally movable anchoring mechanism secured to each of said end members, a removable cover for the chute, and an arcuate member connecting the upper reaches of the end members, the said arcuate member being adapted to support one end of the removable cover secured to the sides of said chute.

7. The combination with a iiexible chute of a terminal frame comprising two angular end members, a plurality of horizontal tie rods connecting the said end members, and a universally movable anchoring mechanism secured to each of said end members, a removable sectionalized cover for the chute, and an arcuate member connecting the upper reaches of the end members, the said arcuate member being adapted to support one end of the removable cover secured to the sides of said chute.

HARLAND D. ELWOOD. 

